Description

"Masterfully woven...The Map of True Places is a gripping quest for truth that kept me reading at the edge of my seat to the very last page."
--Lisa Genova, author of Still Alice

Brunonia Barry, author of the beloved New York Times and international bestseller The Lace Reader is back with The Map of True Places, an emotionally resonant novel of tragedy, secrets, identity, and love. The moving and remarkable tale of a psychotherapist who discovers the strands of her own life in the death of a troubled patient, The Map of True Places is another glorious display of the unique storytelling prowess that inspired Toronto's Globe and Mail to exclaim, "Brunonia Barry can write. Boy can she write."show more

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Review quote

"The meditations on American history, assisted suicide, reincarnation and celestial navigation are informative and even endearing...the voice behind the plot turns is both likable and engaging."--Carolyn See, The Washington Postshow more

Back cover copy

From Brunonia Barry, the New York Times bestselling author of The Lace Reader, comes an emotionally compelling novel about finding your true place in the world.

A respected Boston psychotherapist, Zee Finch has come a long way from a motherless childhood spent stealing boats. But the actions of a patient throw Zee into emotional chaos and take her back to places she though she'd left behind.

What starts as a brief visit home to Salem begins a larger journey. Suddenly having to care for her ailing father after his longtime companion moves out, Zee must come to terms with a strained and awkward relationship that has always been marked by half-truths and haunted by the untimely death of her mother. Overwhelmed by her new role, Zee must destroy the existing map of her life and chart a new course--one that will guide her not only into her future but into her past as well.show more

Rating details

5,017 ratings

3.65 out of 5 stars

5
17% (872)

4
41% (2,064)

3
32% (1,622)

2
7% (375)

1
2% (84)

Our customer reviews

LOVE: the descriptive Salem setting; the seemingly accurate portrayal of Finch's (Zee's father) degenerative illness and what we read of his background, and the folklore that is woven in to this novel.
Even with that, I could not immerse myself in this one. I felt like an impartial observer to Zee's life. Other than a twist in her burgeoning new relationship, there was nothing in this central character that drew me in and made me WANT everything to turn out alright for her.
There are various story lines and a few surprises along the way, but this reader needs to feel some sort of connection with at least one main character, and the lack of it here took away quite a bit for me.
QUOTES
"Do you know how many women are killed every year who've gotten restraining orders?"
Zee had to admit she had no idea. But it was interesting to think that Lilly had been looking into it.
"A lot," Lilly said.
"You know what I always do when I break up with someone?"
"I'm sorry to admit I have no idea."
"I do all the things I couldn't do when we were together," she said. "It might not seem like much, but it helps you remember who you used to be."
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Plot: 3 out of 5 stars
Characters: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Reading Immersion: 3 out 5 stars
BOOK RATING: 3.1 out of 5 stars
Sensitive Reader: There is one rather incongruous sex scene included in this otherwise clean read.show more

by Julie Smith

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